Ludwig On NGO Participation

16 May 2017

Ludwig was encouraged last year when Parties reaffirmed the fundamental value of effective participation by observers and agreed to further enhance the engagement of observer organizations. However, yesterday Ludwig was surprised to learn that the Parties had decided to alter their previously transparent practices and conducted the discussions on inclusiveness and transparency behind closed doors. Ludwig is left wondering: surely enhancing stakeholder engagement does not mean kicking civil society out of meetings to which they enjoyed access in the past?